SOC 33-9021 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Private Detectives and Investigators — Michigan
Michigan · 3 metro areas compared
At $48,650, median pay for Private Detectives and Investigators in Michigan tracks the national median of $51,220 closely.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
At $48,650, median pay for Private Detectives and Investigators in Michigan tracks the national median of $51,220 closely. Pay ranges from under $36,360 at the tenth percentile to more than $87,420 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $38,410 to $61,590.
The area has 850 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 0.85 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. Michigan ranks number 28th out of 49 states by median pay for this occupation. Within the state, Detroit records the highest median at $47,690. Of the 774 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 496th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $36,360 | −29.0% |
| 25th | $38,410 | −25.0% |
| Median (50th) | $48,650 | −5.0% |
| 75th | $61,590 | +20.2% |
| 90th | $87,420 | +70.7% |
| Mean | $53,850 | +5.1% |
Highest-paying metro areas in Michigan
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Detroit | $47,690 | 350 | |
| 2 | Grand Rapids | $42,140 | 80 | |
| 3 | Lansing | $37,750 | 40 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Michigan run 3.8% below the national average, so the median of $48,650 goes as far as $50,572 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 1.3% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$48,650as reported by BLSLocal price level
96.2US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$50,572US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $48,650 a year, 5.0% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $36,360 to $87,420 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 850 jobs in this occupation.
- It ranks 28th of 49 states for this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Detroit, at $47,690.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Private Detectives and Investigators in Michigan?
The median annual wage is $48,650, or $23.39 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $51,220, so pay in Michigan is 5.0% lower. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in Michigan earns more than $87,420 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $36,360 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Detroit, at $47,690 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 850 jobs in this occupation in Michigan. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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